How to Use the Mode Button on the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1

This article explains how to use the MODE button and the corresponding knobs of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 with both TRAKTOR PRO 2 and TRAKTOR DJ for iOS. The MODE function is an exclusive feature of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1, which allows for switching between filter types when controlling the TRAKTOR PRO 2 software. When used with TRAKTOR DJ (iOS software), it allows for switching between control of the Filter and the FX parameter. Both uses are explained in detail below.

Note: For instructions on how to establish a connection between the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 and your computer or iOS device, please consult this article.

Using the MODE Function in TRAKTOR PRO 2

In TRAKTOR PRO 2, the MODE button toggles the FILTER | FX knob between the filter types Z and Ladder, as shown in the Filter Selection menu under TRAKTOR Preferences > Mixer. Each of these types is modeled after a specific hardware filter with a characteristic effect on the audio signal. The default Filter Type in TRAKTOR PRO 2 is Z. In order to change it, press the MODE button. It will become white to indicate that the filter type has now changed to Ladder. In both filter types, turning the FILTER | FX knob counter-clockwise will cut the high frequencies, while turning it clockwise will cut the low frequencies. Press the ON button below the knob in order to toggle the filter on and off. The movement of these parameters on your hardware controller will be mirrored by the corresponding control elements in TRAKTOR's interface on screen.

Note: The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1's default mapping controls the mixer section (including the filter) of Decks A and B. You can customize your mapping to control other Decks by using the Override Factory Mapping function in TRAKTOR's Controller Manager. Learn more about this in this article.

Using the MODE Function in TRAKTOR DJ

In TRAKTOR DJ, the MODE button toggles the FILTER | FX parameter between the filter and the currently selected effect.

Filter Mode

This is the default mode in TRAKTOR DJ. In this mode, the ON button's backlighting will be dimmed in blue.

Press ON to engage the filter. The button will become fully lit in blue and a FLT label will appear at the upper right area of the corresponding Deck in TRAKTOR DJ.

In order to visualize the XY pad for the filter, press on the EQ button on the corresponding Deck and then on Filter.

Turning the FILTER | FX knob counter-clockwise will cut the high-end frequencies, while turning it clockwise will cut the low-end frequencies. The change of this parameter will be applied regardless of whether the filter XY pad is visualized or not. Note that the knob only controls the X-axis of the XY-pad of the filter, which represents the filter cutoff frequency. To control the Y-axis (filter resonance), you need to touch and move it directly on your iPad or iPhone.

Press the ON button once more to disengage the filter. The FLT label will then dissappear from the Deck. Note that toggling the filter off will keep the last position for the Y axis (filter resonance) so that when you toggle the filter back on (pressing the ON button) the vertical position of the filter XY pad will still remain the same. The Y-axis value will be kept and remembered even if you shut down TRAKTOR DJ.

FX Mode

Press MODE and ON at the same time to switch from filter mode to FX mode. The ON button's dim backlighting will turn orange.

Press now ON to engage the effect. The button will become fully lit and a FX label will appear at the upper right area of the corresponding Deck in TRAKTOR DJ.

In order to visualize the XY pad for the effect, press on the FX button on the corresponding Deck and then on any of the three pre-selected effects. In the example, we have selected Delay.

Turning the FILTER | FXknob will affect the parameter specific to the selected effect, e.g. delay time when Delay is selected. The change of this parameter will be applied regardless of whether the filter XY-pad is visualized or not. Note that the knob only controls the X-axis of the XY-pad of the effect. To control the Y-axis (intensity of the the effect signal, also called dry / wet level), you need to touch and move it directly on your iPad / iPhone.

Press the ON button once more to disengage the effect. The FX label will then dissappear from the Deck. Note that toggling the filter off will keep the last position for the Y-axis (dry / wet level), so that when you toggle the effect back on (pressing the ON button) the vertical position of the filter XY-pad will still remain the same. The Y-axis value will be kept and remembered even if you shut down TRAKTOR DJ.